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Team approach pays off
Family, healthcare team help girl manage diabetes
Physical activity such as ice skating helps Kaycee Verlinde manage her type 1 diabetes. |
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Kaycee Verlinde stays busy.
The seventh-grader ice skates with the
Capital Ice Chill synchronized skating team,
plays violin in the school orchestra,
participates in numerous school activities—
and checks her blood sugar several times each
day. Diagnosed at age 8 with type 1 diabetes,
Kaycee understands the importance of diligent
self-care for her to enjoy life and continue her
active lifestyle.
Managing Kaycee’s disease is a team effort
that also involves her family, her teachers at
Wachter Middle School, Sanford Health
pediatrician Dr. Parag Kumar and staff at the
Sanford Diabetes Center.
“We have to keep on top of it every day,
and we work very closely with Sanford Health’s staff,” said Mary Verlinde, Kaycee’s
mother. “I don’t know where we’d be without
Dr. Kumar and Sanford Health’s diabetes staff.
They’ve been wonderful.”
Because Mary’s father died at age 47 from
complications of diabetes, Mary was aware of
the symptoms. She closely observed Kaycee
and her sister, Meghan. In third grade, Kaycee
was excessively thirsty and frequently
urinated. Dr. Kumar confirmed Mary’s
suspicions: Kaycee had type 1
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| diabetes.
Type 1 juvenile diabetes is extremely hard to
manage, and successful management
requires a dedicated family commitment,
Dr. Kumar said.
“The disease is devastating to these children,” he said. “They are sick, and
they are angry they have this disease. These parents have to take over until the
child is mature enough to be responsible for self-care. If the diabetes is poorly
managed, these children have recurrent hospitalizations and can develop
life-threatening complications. Family understanding and support can make
or break the child’s health.”
Mary said Dr. Kumar and Sanford Diabetes Center staff
educated the entire family when Kaycee first became ill. Regular
appointments and ongoing communication have been the key to helping
Kaycee stay well, Mary said. If they need immediate assistance, diabetes staff
is available 24 hours a day. |
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Dr. Parag Kumar
Pediatrics
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Kaycee, who turns 13 in May, said the shots have been the hardest part of her adjustment. She still must prick her finger to monitor her blood sugars, but she’s glad she no longer needs insulin injections.
She uses an insulin pump,
which provides better blood sugar control and easily fits in Kaycee’s pocket.
The pump, which has a tube inserted under Kaycee’s skin, releases a
programmed amount of insulin continuously throughout the day. If she still
experiences high blood sugars, she presses a button for an extra insulin boost.
Physical activity is essential for good diabetes management, Dr. Kumar
said. It has many benefits, including lowering blood glucose and improving
the body’s ability to use the insulin. So Kaycee’s strenuous two-hour skating
practices are good for her, yet Kaycee often experiences blood sugar swings
during exercise.
“I can tell now when I get shaky or dizzy, and I need insulin,” she said.
“I’m doing pretty good managing now. Dr. Kumar and the diabetes staff have
helped find new ways to do things I need to do and to manage my
diabetes better.”
Learning to manage diabetes can seem overwhelming at first, Mary said.
The team at the Diabetes Care Center works closely with those with diabetes
and families as well as with people identified at increased risk of diabetes.
Click here for more information about Sanford Diabetes Center or call 701.323.5324.
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